Hosea 11 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

The LORD’s Love for Israel

Hos 11:1“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.

Hos 11:2But the more I[fn] called to him,
the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
and burning incense to idols.

Hos 11:3

Hos 11:3I myself taught Israel[fn] how to walk,
leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn’t know or even care
that it was I who took care of him.

Hos 11:4

Hos 11:4I led Israel along
with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
and I myself stooped to feed him.

Hos 11:5

Hos 11:5“But since my people refuse to return to me,
they will return to Egypt
and will be forced to serve Assyria.

Hos 11:6

Hos 11:6War will swirl through their cities;
their enemies will crash through their gates.
They will destroy them,
trapping them in their own evil plans.

Hos 11:7

Hos 11:7For my people are determined to desert me.
They call me the Most High,
but they don’t truly honor me.

Hos 11:8

Hos 11:8“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?
How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you like Admah
or demolish you like Zeboiim?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.

Hos 11:9

Hos 11:9No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
I will not completely destroy Israel,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
I am the Holy One living among you,
and I will not come to destroy.

Hos 11:10

Hos 11:10For someday the people will follow me.
I, the LORD, will roar like a lion.
And when I roar,
my people will return trembling from the west.

Hos 11:11

Hos 11:11Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.
Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.
And I will bring them home again,”
says the LORD.

Charges against Israel and Judah

Hos 11:12

Hos 11:12 [fn]Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit,
but Judah still obeys God
and is faithful to the Holy One.[fn]